Frame structure and method of framing a picture

ABSTRACT

A framing system suitable for framing artwork, drawings, pictures and the like. In one embodiment, a frame structure is formed of vertical and horizontal elements wherein a channel is formed in the top of the frame that will hold a variety of removable decorative panels, including, but not limited to mats, glass, wood, marble and fabric. The frame structure can be reused multiple times by changing the decorative panels to match new art or room decor. In one embodiment the decorative panel is made from the same mat board used in the inside mat of a double mat, that matches the color of the focal point of a picture, creating a visual progression from frame panel color to inside mat color to the picture focal point color. This frame structure &amp; method of framing leads the viewers eye into the picture without taking attention away from the picture. It is environmentally friendly and saves the consumer money because the frame structure is reusable and only the decorative panel is replaced for new art or room decor.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of invention relates generally to a frame structure and method for framing and matting pictures, and in particular to an improved structure of picture frame that is reusable.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A successful way to frame and mat a picture is to match the color in the focal point of a picture to an inside mat and use a top mat that matches a more overall (and usually softer color) and then choose a frame that matches the color of the inside mat. This creates a progression from frame to inside mat to focal point. The frame and mat lead your eye into the picture without overpowering it. One problem is that a perfect frame color to match the inside mat color is often not available. Frame molding manufacturing companies have a limited choice of colored frames. Most are wood frames in many different shades of brown, gold and silver. Frames in a variety of other colors are quite limited. Mat manufacturing companies on the other hand have been producing mat colors in a tremendous variety of colors, with many tints and shades of each color. Understandably it would be nearly impossible for a frame company to make all the different frame shapes in such a wide variety of colors.

What is needed is a convenient way to make a picture frame with as large a range and variety of colors and textures as matting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A frame structure and method of framing is disclosed which enables a frame to accept interchangeable strips of materials, in various colors and textures, including, but not limited to mats, glass, mirror and wood.

In this novel frame structure, one embodiment of the frame structure, but not limited to said embodiment, is a frame structure comprising a channel in the top of the frame made up of one longer horizontal opening with shorter perpendicular side walls and a small section protruding over, and parallel to, the bottom of the opening to form a channel to hold a mat and spacer and/or mat and glass combination and/or other material which exposes all but the outer edges of said material.

The resulting structure turns one frame into thousands of frames and solves the problem of trying to match the inside mat color with a frame because the color insert can be cut from the same mat board sheet that the inside mat is cut from.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section profile of one embodiment of the frame invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section profile of one embodiment of the frame invention including a mat, glass and backing cross section.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a completed framed picture using one embodiment of this invention where the frame insert matches the inside mat that matches the focal color of the picture.

FIG. 4 is a cross section profile of one embodiment of the frame invention including a cross section of glass and mat in the top section and a standard frame corner hardware in the bottom.

FIG. 5 is a cross section profile of one embodiment of the frame invention including a cross section of mirror in the top section and a standard-of-the-industry frame corner joining hardware in the bottom section.

FIG. 6 is a cross section profile of the preferred embodiment of the invention including a cross section of mat with a wide foam spacer in the top channel and a standard-of-the-industry frame corner hardware in the bottom channel.

FIG. 7 is a cross section profile of the preferred embodiment of the invention including a cross section of mat with a narrow foam spacer in the top channel and a standard-of-the-industry frame corner hardware in the bottom channel.

FIG. 8 is a cross section profile of the preferred embodiment of the invention turned upside down using the narrow channel up to house a narrower mat and foam spacer in the now narrow top channel and a standard-of-the-industry frame corner hardware in the bottom channel with the adaptor plate filling out the wide space.

FIG. 9 shows an extruded length of the one embodiment of the frame invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention including a vertical cross bar section added for extra strength.

FIG. 11 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention if it were made of wood or PVC.

FIG. 12 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention if it were made of wood or PVC wherein the display channel is slanted forward.

FIG. 13 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with an added section to create a larger top channel.

FIG. 14 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with an added section for a larger top section with a larger insert in the top channel.

FIG. 15 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with an added section for a larger top section that overhangs the front of the preferred embodiment of the invention made so deep pictures such as stretched canvas art will fit in the frame.

FIG. 16 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with an added larger decorative section in the top channel.

FIG. 17 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with a larger section top channel and curved left and right top edges and a larger back top and smaller front top and the vertical wall in the center of the top channel instead of at the back of said channel.

FIG. 18 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with a larger section top channel with curved left and right top edges and curved left and right bottom edges and the vertical wall at the back of said channel. This allows for the frame to be used upside-down so the display channel could be large or small using the same frame upside-down.

FIG. 19 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with a deeper channel than in the previous drawings, with a larger section top channel with curved left and right top edges and curved left and right bottom edges and a vertical wall that connects the top and bottom horizontal channel that has a vertical channel that allows for interchangeable decorative strips on the back of a frame.

FIG. 20 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with an added section in said channel to create a light chamber to illuminate a picture.

FIG. 21 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with a much longer display channel and the vertical member towards the front of the top channel so as not to cover so much of the edge of the picture.

FIG. 22 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with an added section to create a very large top channel wherein the frame becomes the inside and outside of the mat.

FIG. 23 is the standard-of-the-industry corner joining hardware.

FIG. 24 is one embodiment of an adaptor plate used to allow standard-of-the-industry corner hardware to be used in a larger channel to hold the frame together.

FIG. 24 a is a preferred embodiment of an adaptor plate, with round holes, to allow standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware in the larger channel.

FIG. 24 b is a preferred embodiment of an elongated adaptor plate to not only allow standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware in the larger channel, but to be used for a means to pass wire through the end hole and hang the picture when the narrow channel is at the top and wide channel is at the bottom.

FIG. 25 is a cross section of one embodiment of the frame structure with glass over art and glass inserted in the display channel.

FIG. 25 a is the front view of the frame structure with mounted art, mat and glass cross section, showing the outer edge of art in the top channel.

FIG. 26 is a channel insert with screws that allows decorative elements to be attached to the top of the frame.

FIG. 27 is a name and logo of said invention.

FIG. 27 a is another logo of said invention.

FIG. 28 is the side view of the standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware, with a blank plate, screw plate and adaptor plate.

FIG. 29 is the face view of the standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware, with a blank plate, screw plate and adaptor plate.

FIG. 30 is a cross section profile of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the frame upside down, with the narrow channel up, and standard-of-the-industry corner hardware, with a blank plate, screw plate and adaptor plate at the bottom and an insert with foam spacer pushing said insert to the top of the channel.

FIG. 31 is the back of a complete frame showing adaptor plates at the bottom corners and hanger adaptor plates at the top corners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a embodiment of the invention wherein a picture frame comprises a channel 1 that holds a removable display panel 4. A center section 2 holds the glass 7, top mat 6, inside bottom mat 4 a and a backing 8. The frame display panel 4 is the same material and color as the inside mat 4 a and said color was selected to match the color of the focal point 9 in the picture. The viewers eye is lead from frame color to inside mat color to focal color of the picture.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 show standard-of-the-industry corner hardware 11, 11 a, 11 b and 11 c that secure the miter frame sections together and show some of the display panel choices that could be used in said frame channel 1.

As seen in FIG. 4 glass 10 could be used on top of a mat 10 a.

As seen in FIG. 5 a mirror 12 could be used in the channel 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross section profile of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the frame with the top channel 1 with an insert 13 pushed up to the surface of the underside of said channel by means of a foam spacer 14, said spacer may be made out of any number of items, including but not limited to upholstery foam, the space 2 in-between the top and bottom channels is where the picture and the like and/or mats and/or glass and/or backing can be subsumed, and at the bottom of said frame is a channel 3 with standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware with a blank back plate 11 a, screw 11 b and screw plate 11 c is said bottom channel 3.

FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 6 except for the foam spacer insert 14 a which is narrower than foam spacer 14, as this narrower spacer 14 a is needed if an insert 13 a is too long there can be so much friction when slid into the channel 1 it can cause an insert 13 a, such as a mat board, to buckle or crack if the foam spacer 14 is the full width of the channel 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross section profile of the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the frame upside-down with the wider top channel 1 now at the bottom and the narrower channel 3 normally used for corner hardware, now at the top with an insert 13 b pushed up to the surface of the underside of said channel 3 by means of a foam spacer 14 b, said spacer may be made out of any number of items, including but not limited to upholstery foam, the space 2 in-between the top and bottom channels is where the picture and the like and/or mats and/or glass and/or backing can be subsumed, and at the bottom of said frame is now channel 1 with standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware with a blank back plate 11 a, screw 11 b and screw plate 11 c and adaptor plate 19 is in the channel 1, now at the bottom.

FIG. 9 shows a three quarter view of an extruded length of the frame structure wherein 1 is the top display channel 2 is the area that holds the glass, art, mats and back. 3 holds standard-of-the-industry corner hardware.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the frame structure that includes a horizontal post for added strength and to cause the overhang of the frame to cover less perimeter of a picture wherein 1 is the top display channel 2 is the area that holds the glass, art, mats and back. 3 holds standard-of-the-industry corner hardware.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the frame structure made out of PVC or wood wherein 1 is the top display channel 2 is the area that holds the glass, art, mats and back.

FIG. 12 shows the same as FIG. 11 except channel 1 is at an angle and 2 is the area that holds the glass, art, mats and back.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 show an embodiment wherein a display channel 1 a, 1 b, 1 c is added to the preferred embodiment of the frame structure to create a larger display panel wherein 1 is the top display channel 2 is the area that holds the glass, art, mats and back. 3 holds standard-of-the-industry corner hardware.

As seen in FIG. 13 a larger display channel 1 a is created.

As seen in FIG. 14 a larger display channel is created to hold a larger display panel 1 b.

As seen in FIG. 15 one embodiment of a larger frame channel 1 c is created to protrude beyond the inside edge of the frame structure so as to hold a thicker work of art such as an oil painted canvas 30.

As seen in FIG. 16 one embodiment of a larger frame structure 16 of a contemporary shape that may be painted any color.

FIG. 17 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with a larger top channel 1 and curved left 27 a and right 27 b top edges with a larger back top 27 a and smaller front top 27 b and the vertical wall 28 in the center of the top channel instead of at the back of said channel wherein 1 is the top display channel 2 is the area that holds the glass, art, mats and back and 3 holds standard-of-the-industry corner joining hardware. The position of the vertical rail, towards the front of the top channel 1 results in less coverage of mat or art in area 2, but the back overhang of the top channel may be difficult to lay flush in a miter saw cutting bed.

FIG. 18 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with a larger section top channel 1 with curved left and right top edges and curved left and right bottom edges and the vertical wall at the back of said channel 1. This allows for the frame to be used upside-down so the same frame structure will allow the buyer to choose a larger or smaller display channel by selecting which side is up.

FIG. 19 is a cross section profile of the same frame as FIG. 18 except a channel 1 x is added to allow interchangeable inserts on the back of said frame.

FIG. 20 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention wherein the top display channel 1 holds a light chamber 17 to illuminate a picture with a light rope 18 or other light source.

FIG. 21 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with a much larger display channel 1 and the vertical member towards the front of the top channel so as not to cover so much of the edge of the picture in section 2. The bottom channel 3 holds standard-of-the-industry corner joining hardware.

FIG. 22 is a cross section profile of another embodiment of the frame invention with an added section 31 b to create a very large top channel 1 wherein the frame edge becomes the inside 32 b and outside 32 a of the mat and 2 b is the area that holds the glass, art, mats and back and 3 a and 3 b holds standard-of-the-industry corner hardware. A horizontal rail 33 could be added for extra strength.

FIG. 23 is standard-of-the-industry corner joining hardware wherein 11 a is the front view and 11 b is the side view of the metal plate with screws 12 a and 12 b.

FIG. 24 is one embodiment of an adaptor plate 19 used to allow standard-of-the-industry corner hardware 11 a and 11 b to be used under plate 19 which fits over said plate 11 a whereby the screws 11 b will be accessed through a hole 20 in said adaptor plate 19 and said plate is of a size to fit into a larger bottom channel.

FIG. 24 a is a front view 19 a and side view 19 b of the preferred embodiment of an adaptor plate with round holes 20, to allow standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware to be used in the larger channel normally used for inserts.

FIG. 24 b is a front view 27 a and side view 27 b of the preferred embodiment of an elongated adaptor plate to not only allow standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware in the larger channel, but to be used for a means to pass wire through the end hole 20 a to hang a picture when the narrow channel is at the top and wide channel is at the bottom.

FIG. 25 is a cross section of one embodiment of the frame structure wherein glass 20 is on top of mounted art 21 in the top channel and glass 21 b and art 21 b is a continuation of the outer edge of art 21 in the top channel.

FIG. 25 a is the front view of the frame structure with picture 21 c shows the outer edge of art 21 d in the top channel.

FIG. 26 is a channel insert 1 b with screws 24 a, 24 b that go through screw holes 23 a, 23 b as seen in profile of attaching insert profile 22 and three quarter view 25. Said attaching insert allows decorative elements, including, but not limited to, wood trim, hockey sticks, baseball bats and twigs to be attached to the top of said frame structure.

FIG. 27 is one embodiment of a logo and name for said invention. Said name, including, but not limited to TopnotchFrame and a logo including, but not limited to, the “T” in topnotch having the shape of the display channel and color strips running through said channel or a logo comprising said frame profile with multicolor insert and multicolors surrounding it.

FIG. 28 is the side view of the standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware, with a blank plate 33, screw plate 11 c and screw 12 c and adaptor plate 19 a with hole 20.

FIG. 29 is a face view of the standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware, with a blank plate 33 a, screw plate 11 c and screws 12 c and adaptor plate 19 a with holes 20 slightly larger than the screws 12 c.

FIG. 30 is a cross section profile of a preferred embodiment of the invention when it is upside down, with narrow channel 3 up, and standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware which comprises a blank plate 33 c, screw plate 19 a and adaptor plate 20 in the bottom channel 1 and an insert 13 c with foam spacer 14 c pushing said insert to the top of the channel.

FIG. 31 is the back of a compete frame 34 showing adaptor plates 19 c and 19 d at the bottom corners and hanger adaptor plates 27 c and 27 d at the top corners with screw access holes 20 and holes 20 a to secure wire 33 to hang a framed picture.”

The specific embodiments herein described are only illustrative of the invention. Other embodiments using the above-described concepts are also intended to be encompassed by the invention. Various other changes in structure may additionally occur to those skilled in the art, and all of these changes are to be understood as forming a part of the invention insofar as they fall within the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property and privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 

1. I claim a changeable frame structure for framing pictures and the like, wherein said frame has a top surface to harbor an interchangeable insert made of multifarious elements, including, but not limited to: mats, glass, metal, wood, mirror, fabric and marble wherein said frame can be miter cut to create a pair of side frame rails and top and bottom rails wherein said channel at the top of said frame has a vertical wall component below said channel wherein a picture and/or glass and/or mat and/or backing and the like is subsumed and wherein said top insert channel is formed of a horizontal floor wall with vertical side walls with a rim facing toward each other on top of said side walls and parallel to said floor wall forming a mostly open cavity running the entire length of the top of said frame so said inserts can be harbored in said channel at the longitudinal edges to allow exposure of all but the outermost longitudinal edges of said multifarious inserts which comprise the changeable surface of the face of said frame, including, but not limited to a flat interchangeable frame surface top and wherein said multifarious interchangeable inserts create an almost endless variety of possible frame surfaces out of an individual reusable frame structure and said interchangeable insert may be slid in said channel before or after said frame is miter cut to form the desired size frame rails.
 2. I claim the frame of claim 1 wherein said frame structure also incorporates a bottom channel comprising a top wall ceiling and side walls with a mostly open bottom rampart wherein the bottom of said side walls are comprised of rims facing inwardly and parallel to the ceiling walls and perpendicular to the side walls creating a mostly open bottom channel that can harbor standard-of-the-industry corner angle connecting hardware, wherein; said bottom channel is of less width than said top channel and wherein said frame with larger top channel can be turned upside-down if less insert surface exposure is desired and said interchangeable insert is made narrower to fit into said narrower channel now at the top of said frame and whereas; an adaptor plate comprising a width to accommodate the wider insert channel now at the bottom of said frame wherein said plate has holes that line up to expose and give access to the screw heads in the standard-of-the-industry corner connecting hardware contained in said wider channel now used to hold the mitered frame rails together.
 3. I claim the frame structure in claim 1 and a method of framing wherein said insert color matches the color of an inside mat that matches the focal point color of a picture, said picture having at least a double mat, including, but not limited to a top mat that creates a visual rest area, therein creating a visual progression from frame color to inside mat color to focal point color leading the viewers eye into a picture and therefore not take attention away from said picture.
 4. I claim the frame structure of claim 1 whereby said channel comprises a dimensional insert such as an insert whose surface protrudes beyond the top edge of the channel such as; a larger secondary channel inserted into the primary channel in the top of said frame to allow for larger interchangeable inserts or, an insert comprising a frame top that can be smooth and simple or carved and fancy or, an insert housing a light source or, an insert that has screws in it that allows for the attachment of decorative elements to the top of said frame including, but not limited to: baseball bats screwed to said frame with a photo of a baseball player or, hockey sticks screwed to said frame for a hockey player picture and the like.
 5. I claim the frame structure of claim 1 wherein said channel contains an insert comprising more than one element, including, but not limited to, a foam spacer under said insert to bear upon the insert and push it to the top of the underside of said channel rim which may or may not have glass over said insert.
 6. I claim the frame structure of claim 1 wherein said channel contains an insert including, but not limited to, an element of the art to be framed, for example: said frame used for a painting on copper could have a copper insert or, said frame on a collage using birch bark in the art, could have a birch bark insert or, theme oriented art could have a theme oriented insert in said frame for example: said frame for the photo of a musician could have an insert of sheet music or, a Bank poster could have a strip of photocopied money for the insert or, a stadium poster could have the team colors and/or logo for the insert or, the outside edges of a picture can also be used for an insert accordingly, where the contours of said picture leave off, they match up with the contours in the insert made of the perimeter of said picture, wherein said frame becomes part of said picture.
 7. I claim the frame structure of claim 1 wherein said display channel comprises one very wide horizontal channel to hold a very wide insert and multiple bottom channels to hold more than one standard-of-the-industry corner angle connecting hardware to support said wide frame structure wherein; The back and front channel ceiling protrusion rim may be comprised of a curved top wherein said protrusion nearest the picture becomes a decorative element known in the picture frame industry as a fillet and the protrusion furthest from the picture becomes the frame wherein; the large insert is seen as the picture frame mat and the excrescence rims are seen as a frame and fillet even though they are a single frame structure.
 8. I claim the frame structure of claim 1 wherein said insert channel at the top of said frame has a vertical wall element that connects to the bottom hardware channel wherein said vertical connecting wall is positioned near the front of said channel or a second vertical wall is positioned nearer the front so less perimeter of the item being framed is covered.
 9. I claim the frame structure of claim 1 wherein a vertical display channel may be formed on the back of said vertical connecting wall to house inserts creating an interchangeable back surface of the frame.
 10. I claim the frame structure of claim 1 wherein the name of said frame including, but not limited to TopnotchFrame and including, but not limited to a logo having the “T” in topnotch having the shape of said channel and color strips running through said channel or, a logo comprising a profile of the preferred embodiment of said frame with many colors in said channel and many colors around said frame profile. 